I'm a fairly new member to the forum and just returning to drumming after a long hiatus. I recently purchased my first kit in 20 years -- and the first one I've owned in almost 10 years: a Ludwig Element SE Retro Downbeat in Mod Orange (8x12, 14x14, 14x20, 5x14). My question is about the bass heads, specifically the reso. I've seen a lot of praise for and got some direct advice to use PS3s as both batter and reso, so I went ahead and bought two PS3s for my kick (though I haven't yet put them on).

However, I'm considering using a Smooth White Emperor on the front instead, and I'm somewhat ashamed to admit my reasons are purely aesthetic -- I want a bright, solid white head, and smooth rather than coated so I can apply a vinyl graphic logo. From the research I've done, though, the prevailing opinion seems to be that an Emperor as a reso is not the best choice. I certainly don't recall seeing anyone recommend it.

I don't want to create a bad sounding bass in order to get the right "look." So I'm posing the question to you before I spend $30 on another head: Could a PS3 batter/Smooth White Emperor reso combination sound good on a 14x20, or should I stick to the PS3s front and back? Is an Ambassador a better alternate choice? How might the smaller size play into the choice of weight, in terms of tone and pitch?

It's not bad, persay... it's just that it will naturally be higher pitched with overtones. So you'll need to muffle the inside of the drum somehow. If you port it, it might mitigate the problem somewhat.

Try the PS3 on the batter with the Ludwig stock "coated, power-collar" reso up front. See what that gives you. If it's too dead, I wouldn't use a PS3 or an Emperor up there, but rather an unmuffled single-ply head like an Ambassador. If it sounds OK, use a smooth PS3.

Try the PS3 on the batter with the Ludwig stock "coated, power-collar" reso up front. See what that gives you. If it's too dead, I wouldn't use a PS3 or an Emperor up there, but rather an unmuffled single-ply head like an Ambassador. If it sounds OK, use a smooth PS3.

-Ryan

Hey Ryan --

You replaced the stock logo coated head with a regular vintage logo head, right? What weight is that head, and how do you like it? Does it also have a collar? Ludwig's part no. on that is LW4220V. They have a head they describe as a heavy single-ply smooth white, good for marching bass drums, with the part no. LW4220. Perhaps the same head but without the logo?

You really should experiment with the PS3 and the stock head. It will give you a good baseline towards finding the sound that *you* want.

On mine, I've got a Fiberskyn PS3 on the batter side. With the stock Ludwig resonant (which is coated and has a power collar), the sound was kinda dead. Though, I had the kit set up in a funky spot in the house.

I decided to give the Heavy smooth Weathermaster a go, since I have one on the Classic Maples.... plus, the coated stock Element head was too "white". :-) The smooth Weathermaster doesn't have a power collar. It's basically a smooth ambassador.

With the the smooth Weathermaster on the front, the sound is much fuller.... I like it a lot. Not sure how well it'll work with the band, though. I don't know if the Fiberskyn head is punchy enough.

I'll most definitely experiment. I already have two PS3s, so I'll test both together for sure. If I end up only using one, well, then I already have a replacement next time I need new heads. Yes, the stock reso head with the Element SE is odd, isn't it? The coating isn't so much "coating" like you expect on Remo heads, for example, but more like paint, and pretty thick at that. I'm not surprised the bass sounded dead. I might end up going for the smooth Weathermaster or smooth white Ambassador as an alternate. I'll try some combinations out. Are you using any muffling?

I use a non-ported coated Emperor as my resonant head and I love it. It gives my bass drum a lovely big boomy sound. All I use for muffling is a bean-bag placed between the bass pedal and the batter head.

The powerstroke 3 does come in smooth white, and they sound quite good, but the muffling ring shows through on the front. However, Aquarian makes a reso head called the Force II that you can get in smooth white where there's no ring showing in the front. They always have these in stock at Musicians's Friend.

I'm a fairly new member to the forum and just returning to drumming after a long hiatus. I recently purchased my first kit in 20 years -- and the first one I've owned in almost 10 years: a Ludwig Element SE Retro Downbeat in Mod Orange (8x12, 14x14, 14x20, 5x14). My question is about the bass heads, specifically the reso. I've seen a lot of praise for and got some direct advice to use PS3s as both batter and reso, so I went ahead and bought two PS3s for my kick (though I haven't yet put them on).

However, I'm considering using a Smooth White Emperor on the front instead, and I'm somewhat ashamed to admit my reasons are purely aesthetic -- I want a bright, solid white head, and smooth rather than coated so I can apply a vinyl graphic logo. From the research I've done, though, the prevailing opinion seems to be that an Emperor as a reso is not the best choice. I certainly don't recall seeing anyone recommend it.

I don't want to create a bad sounding bass in order to get the right "look." So I'm posing the question to you before I spend $30 on another head: Could a PS3 batter/Smooth White Emperor reso combination sound good on a 14x20, or should I stick to the PS3s front and back? Is an Ambassador a better alternate choice? How might the smaller size play into the choice of weight, in terms of tone and pitch?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

-- Mike (aka Doop)

Mike,

You know that you could get an Ambassador in smooth white as well. Understand the asthetics do matter.....I have used the PS3 as a front, ported head with mixed results.

Also, just because noone has recommended it, doesn't mean that it is wrong. You might pleased with what you get.

When you try the PS3s bear in mind that they do not sound their best at a JAW tuning. Take the reso up a little higher than JAW, to where it starts to have some bottom end and sustain, then tune the batter a smidge higher. Should work fine on your drum, and you should see what they sound like before spending more on a new head.

I use a PS3 coated batter and an white coated Ambassador reso with a 4" port. Inside the drum I have a small heavy pillow aginst the batter and a t-shirt sleeve lightly touching the reso...It is a phoenomal sound...you should definitally experiment with an ambassador reso / PS3 batter combo

I use a PS3 coated batter and an white coated Ambassador reso with a 4" port. Inside the drum I have a small heavy pillow aginst the batter and a t-shirt sleeve lightly touching the reso...It is a phoenomal sound...you should definitally experiment with an ambassador reso / PS3 batter combo

Second that. I had a 20x14" Classic Maple kick. I used a clear PS3 batter w/ an un-ported coated Ambassador reso. It was boomin', for such a small kick drum.

I use a non-ported coated Emperor as my resonant head and I love it. It gives my bass drum a lovely big boomy sound. All I use for muffling is a bean-bag placed between the bass pedal and the batter head.

+1 Same result for me, on a 22 inch.
I bought the Emp by mistake (thinking it was an Amb ....READ the package!), but tried it anyway, and it does fine. The Emp is also ported though, and the plies do not come apart. I paired it with a PS3, a batter head I absolutely love. Only muffling is a felt strip on reso.